Binding for car trap-doors.



- 10.847,559. BATBNTBD MAR. 19, 1907.

' v 0f. M. EDWARDS).

A BINDINGEOR GAB, TRAP DooRs.`

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 5. 1.904.

Oliver/1f E dll/mis [nl/ellor OLIVER M. EDWARDS, OF SYRAOUSE, NEW YORK.

BINDING FOR CAR TRAP-DOORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented March 19, 1907.

Annlication film'i March 5, 1904. Serial No. 196,693.

T0 all' whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER M. EDWARDS,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Syracuse, in thecounty` of Onondaga, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bindings for Car Trap-Doors, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the drawing accompanying and form-v ing a part of the same. 4

My invention relates generally to bindings for what are known as platform trapdoors, which cover the steps of railway-cars by which ingress and egress thereto is had.

Heretofore in the manufacture and use of platform trap-doors serious trouble has been experienced in the doors becoming wedged or bound inthe openings of the platforms within which they are mounted, and consequently not readily opened when desired, as when stations are reached. This wedging or binding of trap-doors in the openingsin the platforms arises from the accumulation of snow, ice, &c., freezing and the changes in the relations of the edges of the doors to those of the adjacent portions of the platforms in which `such doors are mounted. It is awellknown fact that by reason of the necessary differences in the level of the two rails of a railroad-track and adjacent portions of such track lengthwise thereof that carbodies are constantly changing as the cars pass over different portions of the roadway, and as a result platform trap-doors which open easily when the car is upon one portion of the roadway, as at one station, open with difficulty when upon another portion of the roadway, as at another station. These changes are taking place all of the time the train is in motion and in time cause a change in the camber of the car itself. Again, the drawing and f buffer actions and stresses `to which the platform of cars are subjected,

and especially in the starting and stopping of trains, tends to cause changes in the relations of the doors and adjacent portions of the platforms. Also there has been difficulty caused by the swelling of trapfdoors composed of wood by the entrance ofl moisture at the edges and then the consequent shrinkage from the drying out of suchmoisture. This latter difficulty has been overcome in a measure by covering the edges of theplatform and door with metal, thus tending to protect the wood from the entrance of moisture at such edges and the drying out of the wood. This binding, as -it were, of the door with metal in a measure strengthens the door and protects its edges more or less against injury. These platform trap doors are largely used on cars` provided with vestibules `and that vestibuled trains are more or less open from the first to thelast car of the train and permitthe free passage from carto car, thus making thevestibules and their platforms portions of the cars to be .protected from that which will annoy orproducey discomfort to thosewithin the cars themselves. At those places where persons are to get aboard of or depart from the train thesel trapdoors have to be quickly opened to uncover the steps by which ingress and egresstoithe cars is had and from the side of the `train which is the least dangerous forpassengers and others to enter or leave the train. ,Hence it is very desirable that vthese trap-doors should readily open and without the expendi-y ture of an undue amount of force and also lwithout causing unnecessary delay.

The object of my invention is to simplify the manufacture and improve platform trapdoors by providing means which can be readily applied and will aid in opening the same; and it consists, generally stated, first, in providing a binding therefor of varying thicknesses in cross-section in. those portions between the'door and the opening inthe platform in which the door is mounted, and, second, in combining such a binding with the door and arranging it with the lessening thickness in cross-section extending toward the under side of the door or platform or those portions of the door which are the last to leave the opening in the platform, as the door is opened.

I have shown in the drawing and described in the specification different forms or embodiments of my invention; z,but it is tobe understood that the invention may takeon otheriforms than those specifically shownl in the drawing.

Like letters of reference wherever they occur indicate corresponding parts .in the several figures of the drawing.

Figure '1 is a plan view of a portion .ofa carplatform with the vestibule in cross-section, showing thel manner generally of mounting a trap-door therein, the door being hinged to the platform at the left of Fig. l in a customary manner. Fig. 2 shows in vertical section, on line 2 2 of Fig. 1, the manner of supporting `the door when closed and its relations to the ICO IIO

'modified form of binding, and it also illuscar-steps which the door covers and with my l improved binding applied to the side edges of I the door. Fig. 3 shows in plan view one l corner of the door seen in Figs. 1 and 2, but on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 shows in vertical section, but on an enlarged scale, that which is seen at the right of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 in like manner shows that which is seen at l the left of Fig. 2, but not on as large a scale as in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 6 shows in cross-section a modified form of binding in which a iange or lip is seen. Fig. 7 shows in crosssection a binding similar to that seen applied to the door in Fig. 4 applied to the edges of the opening in the platform in which the door is mounted and also a similar binding applied to the door. Fig. S shows in crosssection a modified form ot non-tapered binding for use on the platform, it desired. Fig. 9 shows in cross-section a modiiied form of binding where an additional lip or iiange is employed to aid in holding the binding in place. Fig. 10 shows in cross-section a trates the` stiiliening of the binding by increasing its thickness. Fig. 11 shows in cross-section a modified forni of binding and a way of securing it to the door, Fig. 12 shows in cross-section still another form of binding with a portion of a door to which it is applied.

In Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, A is the platform of the car and forms the main portion ot the floor of the vestibule employed to inclose the major portion ot the platform in what is known as wide vestibuled trains. This platform is provided with an opening over the steps A', leading in and out of the car in which the trap-door B is mounted. This door is provided with any suitable or desired form of hinges at one edge thereof by which the door can be controlled in the opening and closing the space over the steps oi the car. These hinges b 7)/ are preferably in most cases arranged at the edge of the door neXt to the body of the car, as seen at the left of Fig. 1, so that when the door B is opened it opens against this portion of the car, as indicated in dotted lines at the left of Fig. 1. This permits the vestibule-door C to open inward after the trap-door is opened and fold back against the opened trap-door in a well -known manner. As thus arranged the trap-door when closed may be supported at the edge next to the vestibule-door C by such door in the manmer indicated at the left of Fig. 2 -and in Fig. 5.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the door B is provided with a binding D on three of its edges, preferably. The fourth edge, it desired, may also be similarly provided; but this edge is usually protected more or less by the form ci hinge many times used on these trap-doors, which extend along the hinge edge of the door.

ing in thickness from one edge toward the other, and preferably it is ol the taper somewhat like that seen in cross-section in these Figs. 1. to 5; but it may vary, il' desired, l'roni this form and yet accomplish the saine result that is accomplished when in the speeilie form shown in these ligures. As here shown, this binding D is provided with a lip, ilange, or overhanging portion. d ot substantially uniform thickness, and this lip or i lange is arranged. to torni a continuation ol" the top sur L'iace oi the trap-door. The edges of the door to which this binding is to be applied are termed, preferably, at right angles to the top surface oii such door and the. binding is so shaped as to be applied thereto, and if such bindingbe supplied with a l lange oroverhanging portion in the manner shown in the `toregoing 'ligures, in Fig. G, or otheru ise that portion which iorms a continuation o'Y the upper surface ot the door is pre'lrrably oii: sueh a shape as to conform to such surface ol the door; but this portion may be o l any desired shape so long as it is suitable [or its intended purpose and does not intertere with the other portions oi the binding. This binding` l) is to be applied to the door B with its thickest portion, as e, in eross-section (see Fig. elf) near the top surface of the door and the lessening thickness extending toward the under side ol'` the door or platiprm--tliat is, extending downwardly. The lower or thinnest portion, as e7 is preferably arranged so as to extend down to or below the extreme lower or under surface of" the door, and thereby eoyer over the entire edges ot the door to which the binding is applied. This more or less excludes moisture from such edges and also retards the drying out o1" moisture already u itbin the 1n aterial composing such door, and thereby aids .in keeping the body ot the door ot uni- Yforni dimensions and in a more desirable eondition Ator use. As shown, the binding may be applied to the edges ol" the door and secured thereto by screws passing through the binding and into the material composing the. door, or it may be applied in any desired manner or by any means which will securely tasten it in position. on. such edges. 'l`he edges oi the opening in the plat'iorin A in which the door B is mounted may, il de sired, be eovered with a binding F o? the form seen in these Figs. 1 to 5, or the saine torni ot binding shown as applied to the door B may be applied, as indieated in Fig. 7, thus using the same binding tor both the. edges ol' the door and of the opening in the plat/torni in which the door is mounted. lt is desirable that the bindings l'or both ot these edges shall have a more extended wearing-surhtee than the bare upper edges ot such bindings alone atiord. T his increased wearingsur tace is-attained by the lip, Harige, or overhanging portion d et the binding D in Figs. 1

IOO

This binding D is taper l to 5 and oi the lip or overhanging portionfol" r3@ to the AdoorB as there `shown permits the doorto fill'gthe openingtothe fullest extent, and yet-whenrthe door isto-be opened it has -to beimoved-:but comparativelyasmall extent before .it begins to be relieved from -anybinding or wedging veffect of the opening on theedges ofthe door, owing tothe beveled or frecedingform. given by the taper o'f the binding :to the exposed edges `of such door. vAs the .door continuesto open it is still further relieved from :this .wedging action, and particularly at theside edge where the steps meetthevplatform, by this k 'beveled or.I receding formggiven to the edge of ,the doorby this form of binding. Thisform of binding ,also permitsthe edges of the door to which it is applied to be made substantially at right `angles-toithe top surface of the door,

and thus to be readilyyformedwith substantialf accuracyzby the use of the ordinary wood Or othery edge dressing machinery'by the employment of ythe yordinary or semiskilled workman of the presentday. lIt .also per- `mits of ,a number of doors being dressed-to a size atatime by machinery, and thustobe readily made of substantially uniform dimensions edgewisey by the abovemeans.

Thisis an important advantage when employing the ordinaryrworkmen of the present time. This form of binding is stiffer and `more rigid .lengthwisef as well: as crosswise, by reason of its tapering shape with a given quantity of metal than when-made inl the form seen applied tothe edges of the` door-opening in the platform in Figs. 1 to 5 or in the form seen in Fig..8, or leaving out.of consideration the overhanging `lip or flange d of binding D seen in Fig. 4, where it is applied to door B, and comparing the vremaining portion with the seen vin lthe same `figure of the drawing, when thebinding weighs the same per foot in length andfis ofthe same width, this binding is stier, owing to its increased .thickness` at or near thefupper surface of the This is illustrated in Fig. 10, where the 1 door. upper central portion es is of the same thickness -as thebinding F, seen in Fig. 4 applied .to the edgeI ofthe-opening of the platform andthe extra material seen at e9 of Fig. 10

4is equal to that removed in forming that portion of the binding belowthe upper central portion e8 of binding D3. This increased stiffening of the binding `D adds increased stiffness tothe door, `and this is desirable, as these trap-.doors are made as` light in weight as possible to properly dor the work they are intended `to do. `By adding a slightly-increased amount of metal and increasing the taper of the binding .and .of thebevel of the edge of the door thisstiffening action is increased to the extentdesired without a proportional ,increase in the amount ,of metal :employed informing the binding.

1 hold to-those using the cars-such, for instance, as ,india-rubber matting `or tiling.

The same relief from the .wedging action of vthe platform, whether upon one edge or the other, is obtained in the form or embodiment of binding seen in Fig. 10 as ishad in the form seen iniFigs. 1 to 5 4or in Figs. 6, '7, and 9 when the form of binding seen in Fig. 10 is of correspondingthicknesses at the pointe and the lower or underside of the door, and the corresponding bindings are of the same Width. It is desirable that these vestibuleplatforms, including the door or doors, be covered with material to give a good foot- Where simple matting. is employed, it may be `of the thickness of the lip or flanged and extend into contact therewith andbe on substantially a level therewith. yIfit is desired `to use a thicker matting or artiling, the lip,

flange, or overhangingv portion of the binding may take on the form seenin Fig. 6, where the binding D is provided with alip` orportion d of a shape to engage with the edges of the matting or tiling, which is properly shaped for this purpose, and secure such edges tothe door. If the same .shape or form of lbinding be employed for the edges of the opening into which the door closes, then such lip or portion will. overhang or overlap the edges of the matting or tilingplaced on the platform in like manner as on the door. Itis sometimes desirable to use additional means to secure the binding to the edge of the door, and, if desired, it may be provided with a flange, as (Z3, as seen in Fig. 9, where the binding D2 is seen in cross-section having the lip or portion d2, and this addditional iiange (Z3 may be provided with openings through which screws or other fastenings may be passed into the door to help secure the binding-thereto. be made to wholly inclose the edges of the door to which it is applied, as shown in Figs. 1l and 12, where the door B4 in Fig. 11 has applied thereto a binding D"L having inclosing IOC If it be desired, the binding may u lIO flanges df d8 in addition to the lip or iiange d4 .and the door B5 in Fig. 12 has applied there- `the others shown may be made as is thought best to serve their intended purposes, the forms herein shown being illustrative of some of the preferred forms which may be used in connection with my improved binding, tapering in thickness from one edge toward the. other.

Different extents of taper are shown `as being given: to the bindings insome ofthe different figures of the drawing, and it is to be ISO &

understood that the dimensions of the bindings and the extenty of taper given to them may vary from what is here shown and yet the binding will do substantially the same work as is done by those herein shown and do this work in the same way.

When securing-flanges are employed,it is desirable that some fastening devices other than the fianges alone shall be employedsuch, for instance, as sc-rews or other holding means-and when screws are employed they may be applied as indicated in ifig. 11 or in Fig. 12 or otherwise, as is thought best.

What l. claim as new is l. A binding for trap-doors tapering in thickness from one edge toward the other and adapted to be applied with the lessening thickness extending` toward the under side of the platform. Y

2. A binding for trap-doors tapering in thickness from one edge toward the other and adapted to be applied to surfaces, which are at substantially right angles to the upper surface of the door, and with the lessening thiekness'extendiug toward the under side of the plaforni.

3. A binding for trap-doors tapering in thickness from one edge toward the other and provided with a fiange to overhang a surface at an angle to the surface to which the binding is to be applied, with the lessening thickness extending toward the under side of the platform.

4. A binding for trap-doors tapering in thickness from one edge toward the other and provided with inelosing flanges adapted to receive the edge of the door and engage with portions adjacent to the upper and lower surfaces of the same, and with the lessening thickness extending toward the under side of the platform.

5. In a car-platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of a trap-door-provided with edges substantially at right angles to its upper surface, and a binding therefor, tapering in thickness from one edge toward the other, whereby the exposed surface of the binding is at an angle to the surface to which the binding is applied, the apex of the angle being formed near to or below the under side of that portion of the platform in which the door is mounted.

6. In a car-platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of a trap-door mounted in the platform, a binding therefor, and a binding for the opening in which the door is mounted, one of which bindings taper in thickness from one edge toward the other,

' with the lessening thickness extending toward the under side of the platform.

7. In a car-platform the combination, substantiall y as setforth, of a trap-d oor mounted in the platform, a binding therefor, tapering in thickness from one edge toward the other,

and two seeuii1ig-flanges formed integral with the binding, whereby a portion of the door is received between the flanges and the hind ing is applied with the lessening thickness extend ing toward the under side of the platform.

S. In a car-platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of a trap-door mounted in the platform, a binding therefor, tapering in thickness from one edge toward the other, and two securingflanges formed integral with the binding, one of which flanges adapted to receive fastening devices and thel other flange is adapted to engage with the door, whereby a portion of the door is received between the flanges and the binding is applied with the lessening thickness extending toward the under side of the platform.

9. A binding for trap-doors tapering in thickness from one edge Fto the other and at its thickest edge provided with a rounded portion and adapted to be applied with the lessening thickness extending toward the under side of the platform.

l0. A binding for trap-doors tapering in thickness from one edge to the other and at its thickest edge provided with a rounded portion and adapted to be applied to surfaces, which are at substantiallyY right angles to the upper surface of the door with the rounded portion exposed and the lessening thickness extending toward the under side of the platform.

11,. A binding for trapdoors tapering in thickness from one edge to the other and at its thickest portion provided with a rounded portion at one side and a flange at the other side and adapted to be applied with the lessening l thickness extending toward the under side of the platform.

12. A binding for trap-doors tapering thickness from one edge to the other and at its thickest portion. provided with a flange at right angles to one side portion and a rounded corner portion at the opposite side portion and adapted to be applied with the lessening thickness extending toward the under side of the platform.

13. In a car-platform the combination, substantially as set forth, of a trapdoor provided with edges substantially at right angles to its upper surface, and a binding therefor, tapering in thickness from one edge toward the other and having a rounded portion, in cross-section, whereb)T one of the exposed portions of the binding is at an angle to the surface to which it is applied and another portion forms an exposed rounded surface near the upper surface of the door with the lessening thickness of the binding extending toward the under side of the platform.

OLIVER M. EDWARDS.

Vlfitnesses MARTIN J. WATLnr, JAMES R. MURPHY.

IOC 

